Best Holiday Lettings

Author: Alicia

  • News: &Beyond appoints Wheeler as new regional managing director

    &Beyond has announced the appointment of Mark Wheeler as regional managing director – East Africa and South Asia.

    He will assume the role from May 1st 2013 and may be based inside the Nairobi office.

    He is tasked with accelerating the expansion of &Beyond’s business, presence and capabilities in these regions.

    After a lengthy period of consolidation and detailed planning, &Beyond is now able to grow its brand in East Africa and South Asia to its full potential – across both lodging and touring.

    Wheeler can be working with the teams in Kenya, Tanzania, India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka to fulfil the ambitious growth objectives specified by a 3 year strategic plan.

    He left A&K in late 2012 and launched into some travels including an overland trip through East and Southern Africa along with his wife and two youngsters.

    “Once I had made the choice to come to tourism, out of the numerous options i used to be lucky enough to be presented with, i used to be attracted to &Beyond because I felt it can offer me the private challenge i used to be searching for and where I felt my experience may be best utilised,” explained Wheeler.

    “It was the strong service ethic, the over-riding conviction in conservation, and the unrivalled lodge and camp offering across East Africa which attracted me to &Beyond.

    “It also presents me with a chance to advertise and produce my service vision to new, exciting destinations consisting of India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

    “&Beyond’s guest and guide focused ethos, coupled with the vision and leadership of Joss Kent were an unbeatable combination, and i’m both honoured to be able to work at such an inspiring company as &Beyond, in addition to excited to come to the superb world of tourism after a protracted break.”

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  • Abu Dhabi hotel guests climb 12%

    Abu Dhabi has reported a 12% rise inside the choice of guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the primary 1/2 this year in comparison to the 1st six months of last year.

    Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) also show that guests within the emirate are staying longer and that there were significant increases in hotel occupancies and revenues.

    During the 1st 1/2 this year some 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation delivering 4,226,604 guest nights – an increase of 25% on 2012. On average the guest stayed 3.17 nights – that’s up 12% on last year, which translates into an occupancy rate of 71% – that’s up 8% on 2012.

    “We on target and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased efforts in trade engagement and international marketing and promotion and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi.

    “We anticipate the momentum building inside the second half the year which covers key happenings including the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, some of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting activities including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals.

    “On the business events front we will look ahead to hosting the International Conference on Neurology and Epidemiology that’s expected to be attended by upwards of 600 specialists in these fields and Abu Dhabi’s hosting, this December, of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum.”

    Year-to-date hotel revenues rose 16% to AED 2.7 billion (US $734 million) despite a slight fall-off of three% in average room rate to AED 447 (US $122). Food & beverage income continued to hang its own climbing 15% to AED 1 billion (US $287.5 million).

    Abu Dhabi’s strong performance was aided by a bumper June when guest arrivals rose 13%, guest nights increased 22%, revenues shot up by 13%, people stayed longer and occupancy increased by 6% to 65%.

    “We look going someway to breaking the cycle of major business dips in summer,” explained Al Muhairi. “And what’s really encouraging is that guests are staying longer – which means our campaign to convince those that there’s now even more to do and spot in Abu Dhabi, is taking hold. We’ve broken in the course of the three nights stay mark.”

    While domestic tourism continued to be the destination’s largest single catchment, India snatched the tip slot because the emirate’s largest overseas source market toppling the united kingdom into second place.

    Some 80,179 Indian nationals stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels from January until the top of June a 22% rise on last year. They accounted for 334,238 guest nights -that’s up 43% on 2012 and stayed a standard of four.17 nights – a rise of 17%.

    “We are benefitting from increased destination awareness in India following the hole a year ago of a dedicated promotions office there and likewise of increased air access from the rustic following Etihad Airways’ equity stake in Jet Airways and the move by the Indian carrier of its Middle East hub to Abu Dhabi,” explained Al Muhairi.

    During the primary six months 78,053 Britons stayed within the emirate’s hotels – a 9% increase on last year. They delivered 362,690 room nights, which was up 21% and stayed for a regular of four.65 nights – 11% greater than last year.

    Germany came in because the third largest overseas market with 62,488 of its nationals staying – 27% up on last year. Germans accounted for 296,624 guest nights, that’s an increase of 37% on 2012 and that they stayed, on average, 4.75 nights – that is 8% up on last year.

    Russians are proving to be Abu Dhabi’s longest stayers checking in for a typical of just over six nights – a six per cent increase on 2012. And more Russians are coming to the destination than ever before with 13,094 checking in in the course of the first six months – a 46% increase on 2012 – and accounting for 79,750 guest nights.

  • Holiday Inn Express opens in Indianapolis

    The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Indianapolis North – Carmel opened its doors this week. Located at 9797 N. Michigan Rd., Carmel, just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, and shut to four major interstate highways, the 66-room hotel includes a sort of amenities and gives an enhanced guest experience at a fantastic value.

    “Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers,” said Heather Balsley, senior vice chairman, Brand Management, Holiday Inn brand family, The Americas, IHG. 

    “With greater than 2,100 properties worldwide and 450 more within the pipeline, the vacation Inn Express portfolio continues to supply our guests with an enhanced-stay experience at a high-quality value.  We’re proud to welcome this hotel into the vacation Inn family with the emblem-new sign and everything it represents.” Added Heather.

    The new addition to IHG’s portfolio of Indianapolis hotels is designed according to the vacation Inn brand family’s $1 billion global brand relaunch, the most important project of its kind in hospitality history.

    The relaunch continues to drive increased quality and consistency around the global portfolio. The hotel includes a contemporary image with emphasis on arrival and welcome services, guestroom and guest bath comfort and a redesigned logo and signage.

    “This is our first Holiday Inn Express hotel and we’re thrilled to hitch the vacation Inn brand family,” said Kari James, general manager. “Indianapolis has loads to give both business and leisure travelers, and we glance forward to providing all of our guests with excellent service.”

    The 66-room hotel, which include 25-suites with refrigerators and microwave ovens, incorporates a 24-hour business center, gymnasium and complimentary parking. High speed wireless internet can be free and available during the hotel and in all rooms. 

    The complimentary Express Start breakfast bar incorporates a full range of breakfast items including a rotation of egg and meat selections, biscuits, yogurt, fruit and the brand’s proprietary cinnamon roll and Smart Roast coffee. 

    Guest bathrooms feature the SimplySmart shower, which includes a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead and a signature shower curtain with curved rod. Upgraded 100% cotton terry towels and Bath & Body Works White Citrus bath products also are included.  Guests will benefit from the SimplySmart™ bedding collection, where they’re going to find crisp fresh bedding that includes a fantastic decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft, 200 thread-count sheets.

    Close to I-65, I-69 and that i-70, the hotel is half-hour from Indianapolis International Airport and quarter-hour from downtown Indianapolis. The valuables is usually in close proximity to several corporations in addition Butler University. Nearby attractions include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Zoo.

  • News: Air Seychelles launches codeshare handle South Africa Airways

    Air Seychelles has announced it has entered right into a codeshare agreement with South African Airways, the national airline of the Republic of South Africa.

    The first phase of the agreement will see South African Airways place its “SA” code on Air Seychelles’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and Seychelles.

    South African Airways can even place its code on flights between the 2 largest islands of Seychelles, Mahé and Praslin, subject to approvals.

    Subsequent to the launch of the partnership between Air Seychelles and SAA, the airlines will look at expanding the agreement to incorporate Air Seychelles placing its ‘HM’ code on South African Airways’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and destinations across South Africa.

    Ticket sales are set to open on April 29th, for travel from April 30th.

    The deal follows a strategic move by Air Seychelles to extend its connectivity throughout South Africa and continental Africa.

    In March 2013, Air Seychelles introduced an enhanced schedule and extra weekly service on its Johannesburg route, bringing the flights to 3 return services a week with daytime departures and arrivals.

    The new schedule greatly enhances leisure and business travellers’ ability to glue seamlessly on both airlines across Africa and South Africa, particularly to Cape Town and Durban.

    Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles chief executive officer, said: “Our flights to Johannesburg had been incredibly successful, reflecting increasingly more travellers popping out of South Africa to the Seychelles for leisure, business and sport.

    “Traffic from South Africa has grown at a gradual pace of eleven per cent every year for the past decade.

    “In the primary quarter of this year alone, traffic is up 13 per cent.

    “With this codeshare agreement, guests would be capable of purchase flights from South African Airways destinations onwards to the Seychelles on one ticket, making for a less complicated and seamless journey.

    “We have also established a foundation for twin-centre tourism products which combine a safari in Africa with a Seychelles beach holiday.

    “SAA Holidays can also be adding Seychelles to their holiday program, providing a brand new channel for selling travel to our island nation and supporting the extremely important tourism industry.”

    Subject to regulatory approval, the airlines plan to expand the scope of this agreement to incorporate frequent flyer program reciprocity and more codeshare destinations on their respective networks.

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  • ETC released European Tourism in 2013 – trends & prospects

    Data for the pre-Summer period points to a tempered growth for European tourism. Nearly all of destinations reporting figures through March-June post positive growth, in keeping with the just released report on ‘European Tourism in 2013 – Trends & Prospects’ released by the eu Travel Commission (ETC).

    ETC expects that the imminent peak summer time will consolidate its positive expectations for 2013 (+1% to +3%). Yet, the persistence of a negative financial system demands a joint effort of both the private and non-private sector to create coherent stimuli and to sustain future growth.

    Data for the pre-Summer period points to a tempered growth for European tourism, despite the persistent economic malaise of the Euro-area. Out of twenty-two destinations reporting foreign visitors’ arrivals through March-June 2013, the overwhelming majority post positive growth. As tourists remain cost conscious, the expansion in overnight stays remains subdued in comparison with that of arrivals. Capacity growth has also been constrained, despite demand expansion.

    Smaller destinations lead growth in foreign arrivals. Figures available up to now show Iceland (30%) and Slovakia (20%) as top performers with regards to foreign tourist arrivals growth. Montenegro, Latvia and Croatia follow with a growth around 9%, Hungary and Poland with a growth of seven%. At the other end of the spectrum, Cyprus marked a depressed -12%, as a result of negative publicity received originally of the year.

    Growth in overnights remains subdued in comparison to that of arrivals, as travellers remain cost conscious. Notable exceptions are Latvia (+9% in arrivals and +14% in overnights), Croatia (+9% and +11% respectively), Malta (+7% and +10% respectively) and Czech Republic (+3% and +4%). The reverse trend in these destinations finds its roots in increasing visits from long-stay markets and segments, the establishment of latest connections with medium and long-haul markets or reduced fiscal pressure on tourism services.

    First months’ performance reflects robust outbound travel from key markets
    Overall data paints a favorable picture for outbound travel from intra-European markets. After few years of weak demand, most destinations report growth from the French and UK markets, and the German market consolidates the positive performance of past years. Russian demand also persists strong, bringing conspicuous gains to the Eastern European destinations. The image looks weaker instead for the Dutch and Italian market, via stalled economic growth.

    Long-haul markets continue to guide the expansion in relative terms. Chinese travel, fostered by the emerging middle class, remains well earlier than economic growth, with nearly all of destinations reporting double digit increases when it comes to arrivals and overnights. Travel from US remains solid for almost all of reporting destinations. Outbound travel from Japan looks pale against expectations, as currency depreciation offsets the positive effects of business stimuli.

    Harmonised stimuli to sustain future growth
    As the year progresses, Europe’s economic outlook looks brighter and consumers become less pessimistic about their future economic prospects. Yet, the persistence of uncertainties regarding intra-European markets and their consequences on travel patterns requires strong stimuli to sustain future tourism growth. To effectively steer the industry and accomplish growth objectives, both the private and non-private sector have to unify behind the ambition for growth. The coordinated effort of tourism authorities and industries can produce durable effects within the short-term provided that well orchestrated. The threat, otherwise, is for individual efforts to disappear.

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